Stamp-retaining envelop.



A TTORN E K9 PATENTBD APR. 4, 1905.

H..J. STIR N STAMP RETAINING ENVELOP. APPLIOATION FILED APR.18, 1904.

WITNESSES Patented April 4, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. STIRN, OF MILWAUKEE, I/VISCONSIN.

STAMP-RETAINING ENVELOP- SPECIFICATION iirming part of Letters Patent No. 786,469, dated April 4, 1905. Application filed April 18, 1904. Serial No. 203,583.

T 0 LZZ whom/it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY J. STIRN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Open-Faced Stamp-Retaining Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in stamp-retaining envelops for preserving and exhibiting postage-stamps, revenue-stamps, and for other similar purposes whereby they are adapted to be connected with the leaves of a book without the use of mucilage or applying any adhesive substance to the stamp itself and whereby the stamp may be removed from-and replaced upon the supporting-sheet without tearing or defacing either the stamp or the supporting-sheet.

My invention is further explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents aplurality ofmy stampretaining envelops connected with the sheet of a book or so-called stamp-album in which the stamps are adapted to be preserved. Fig. 2 represents a front view of one of the stamp-retaining envelops as it appears when open preparatory to inserting the stamp. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section of the stampenvelop in connection with the envelop-supporting sheet. Fig. 4 represents a rear view of the envelop shown in Fig. 2, showing one of the stamp-retaining folds bent down in position to retain the stamp in place. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section of the stamp-retaining envelop in connection with the envelop-supporting sheet, showing a modified form of device for connecting the envelop with the sheet by a wafer or other adhesive substance. Fig. 6 represents a vertical section of the stamp-retaining envelop and envelop-supporting sheet, showing a third form of device for connecting the envelop with the sheet.

Like parts are identified by the same reference-letters throughout the several views.

A represents the envelop, which comprises the back or central portion B, vertical stampretaining folds C 0, horizontal stamp-retaining fold D, V-shaped fastening folds E E, and rearwardly-folded flap or fasteningpiece F.

G represents a stamp secured in place within the folds of the envelop.

In the preferred form (shown in Figs. 3 and 4:) the flap F is provided with a gumrned surface I, whereby the envelop is attached to one of the sheets J of an album in which the stamps are preserved. To prevent the liability of the stamps being accidentally removed from the envelops, I preferably extend the side retaining folds C above the back or central portion B of the envelop, forming the V-shaped projections, which when the stamp is inserted in place are turned over against the back of the envelop, as indicated at E in Fig. 4.

E in Fig. 2 represents the folds preparatory to being bent over the top of the stamp and secured in place.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 5 the flap F is dispensed with and the envelop is connected directly with the sheet J by a wafer or other adhesive substance K, which is interposed between the back of the envelop and said sheet.

In the third form of device for attaching the envelop to a sheet I have provided the sheet J with a horizontal slot L for the reception of the flap F, which flap F is inserted through said slot and turned down upon the rear side of the sheet J, as shown in said Fig. 6, whereby said envelop is retained in place and whereby the same may, if desired, be removed with the stamp by simply withdrawing the flap F from the slot.

While the envelops may, if desired, be formed of ordinary thin paper, I preferably form them of translucent or semitransparent paper, whereby the marginal edge of the postage-stamp is but little obstructed from view.

It is obvious by this construction that the stamps may be attached to and detached from the supporting-sheet a great many times without the liability heretofore experienced of injuring the stamps or the sheet to which they are attached, as has heretofore been the case when stamps have been fastened to the sheets by mucilage or other adhesive substance, whereby the stamps may not only be attached, detached, and preserved with much less liability of injury, but the interchange of stamps by dealers is greatly facilitated, and the stamps when thus attached present a neater and much more attractive appearance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device for preserving and exhibiting stamps; a flexible paper envelop comprising a central back portion against which the postage-stamp is adapted to be placed; two vertical side folds adapted to engage the respective sides of the stamp; a bottom fold adapted to engage the lower marginal edge of the stamp in combination with a supportingsheet; and means for securing said envelop to the supporting-sheet, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device for preserving and exhibiting stamps; a plurality of envelops each comprising a central back portion against which the postage-stamp is adapted to be placed; two vertical side folds adapted to engage the respective sides of the stamp; a bottom fold adapted to engage the lower marginal edge of the stamp; a plurality of stamp-retaining sheets; means for retaining said stamps in said envelops and means for securing said envelops to said supporting-sheets, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of an envelop-supporting sheet; an envelop for preserving and exhibiting stamps comprising a central back ortion; vertical side and bottom retaining folds and a supporting-flap folded rearwardly and downwardly and adapted to be secured to said envelop-supporting sheet, substantially as set forth.

4. An envelop for preserving and exhibiting stamps, formed of semitransparent paper comprising a. central portion; two vertical stamp-retaining folds adapted to engage the respective sides of the stamp; a horizontal fold adapted to engage the lower edge of the stamp; two Vshaped projections adapted to be folded over the upper edge of the stamp and envelop and secured to the back wall of said envelop and means for securing said envelop to a supporting-sheet, all substantially as, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY J. STIRN.

' Witnesses:

Ms. B. ERWIN, H. Z. TAUGIIER. 

